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A$AP Rocky has turned down a plea deal before his firearm assault trial begins this week.
According to reports Rolling Stone's Nancy Dillon posted to X on Tuesday, January 21, the New York rapper did not accept the prosecution's plea deal before his trial officially began today. Rocky would've had to plead guilty to one charge of assault. He would've been sentenced to 180 days in a county jail along with a seven-year suspended prison sentence and three years of probation. The "D.M.B." rapper, who has maintained his innocence since he was charged in 2023, said, "I respectfully decline, thank you."
A$AP Rocky was charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. He was accused of firing a gun at his former friend A$AP Relli, born Terell Ephron, during an argument near a hotel in Hollywood in 2021. Ephron claimed the bullet Rocky fired at him grazed his hand. The A$AP Mob artist was arrested in connection with the shooting a few months later. He pleaded not guilty. If convicted, A$AP Rocky faces up to 24 years in prison.
Following a previous pre-trial hearing, Rocky's attorney Jose Tacopina said that his client is "eager to tell his story." Outside the courtroom today, Tacopina doubled down on his statement and revealed his plan to call on two witnesses who will testify that the gun Rocky is seen holding in footage shown in court in 2023 is a "starter pistol" he carries as a prop for security reasons.
Jury selection for A$AP Rocky's trial is currently underway. Opening statements will begin once 12 jurors and alternates are locked in.